More photos » Robert K. O'Daniell - AP

4 months ago: Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) cruises by Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Mark Yelovich (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill., on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Robert K. O'Daniell)

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While the stat sheet may point to the fantastic scoring torrent that Brandon Paul unleashed against the Cougars, the credit must also go to the Illini big men, who put their height and talent advantage to good use on both ends of the court. Mike Davis especially showed just how good he really is becoming. If he can play like he did tonight from now on, I certainly don't care how little effort he puts into the exhibition games. He and Tisdale, even Semrau Cole and Dominique were eating up the inside of the SIUE defense tonight. A huge shift in gears from the last exhibition game. A word of warning to all other Big Ten teams, this will not be the slow methodical Illini team of yesteryear. This team looks like it can score on anybody. More thoughts after the jump

• When Demetri was in the game, he was in complete control of the offense, the passes were crisp and alot of really good shots were created. Not to mention how consistently DMac was able to get the ball into the big guys, something a lot of us fans were concerned about after Sunday. He is looking more and more like the all around player the Illini need in a post Chester world.
• Along those same lines, with Jeff sitting out, the PG duties were turned over to DJ when DMAC needed a rest. The Illini offense seem to become a bit more one dimensional then, but overall if Jeff can come back in a week and run the O it shouldn't be a problem.
• Yeah and Brandon Paul looked about as good as I have ever seen a freshman play. Seriously he can shoot the ball, with 22 points he is now the record holder for an illini freshman in a home debut
• I am having trouble remembering the last time I saw an Illini team score 96 points. The freshmen can score and made this team look like a well oiled machine when it comes to scoring. This team is going to score this year, and I am really excited to see what they can do.
  
• Also Bubba Chisholm has a icy fade away. Play him some more Bruce.

As for the overall take away from this game, I have this to offer you. This game was just plain fun to watch, even when the team hit a skid midway through the second half it was fun to watch. This team is playing well and gelling even faster than I thought possible. Demetri has locked down the PG position, the freshmen are great right out of the gate and Mike Davis looks like he is going to take another step toward the NBA this year. I am so excited about this season I can hardly wait for the really good teams to get here, Clemson Vandy and all the BIg Ten teams, its going to be really fun to watch the Illini beat them.